Hawaii hospitals get federal funds, internment camps, race at issue, Maui mayor seeks end to furloughs, UH-Hilo gets new pharmacy programs, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

2010 tsunami in Hilo

One Year Later: New improvements since the tsunami. KHON2.

The Hawaii Department of Human Services has distributed $10 million in federal funds to 15 private hospitals.Pacific Business News

Hilo Medical Center staffers put their job satisfaction and engagement at the very bottom when compared to other hospitals, according to a recent survey.Tribune-Herald.

Senator Dan Inouye believes partisan fighting in Washington will NOT derail Oahu’s rail project. Hawaii Public Radio.

The state of Hawaii should maybe take a look into its own unclaimed property program for lost cash as it scratches for more funding. Hawaii Reporter.

A pair of proposals now before the state Legislature could make Hawaii's food code compatible with this traditional Hawaiian food preparation practice. Star-Advertiser.

The number of Hawaii public school children eligible for free and reduced-cost lunch, a key indicator of poverty, has risen 20 percent -- or by more than 13,500 children -- since 2007. Star-Advertiser.

Demonstrators at the state capital voiced their concerns Saturday hoping lawmakers on Capital Hill hear their message. KITV4.

On Friday, Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced the appointment of Deputy Director for the Department of Public Safety and Deputy Director of Behavioral Health for Department of Health. Hawaii Independent.

As the governor learned earlier this month, it isn’t as easy as it seems trying to rein in the cost of government —  especially when it comes to public employee retirement benefits.Garden Island.

Mayor Alan Arakawa has requested $1 million to end county furlough days starting in April. Maui News.

Mayor Billy Kenoi's strategy for closing a $40-million-plus budget gap remains a mystery to County Council members bracing for possible tax increases, service cuts and worker layoffs. Tribune-Herald.

For years they have been a hidden part of Hawaii's history. But now, there are efforts underway to preserve World War II era internment camps in the islands. All Hawaii News.

Race in Hawaii: Betcha Can't Pick Just One. Civil Beat.

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has approved a plan to build a large new telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea. Associated Press.

Some nominees to the county's Redistricting Commission apparently were approached by administrative officials and hadn't necessarily thought to apply for the position on their own. West Hawaii Today.

A new phase of repairs to the Diamond Head landmark is beginning, including fixes to a lookout area, a narrow ledge at the summit and construction of a new summit loop trail. Star-Advertiser.

Even as the cost of fueling up on Maui topped $4 per gallon for regular unleaded gas last week on Maui, Aloha Petroleum is developing a new gas station and a 2,000-square-foot convenience store next to Home Depot in Kahului. Maui News.

Nancy McPherson, the recently reinstalled Molokai planner, has returned to ensure projects are done correctly to Molokai standards – and efficiently. Molokai Dispatch.

The University of Hawaii Board of Regents has approved two new pharmacy degrees. Associated Press.

Officials with the Hawaii County Council are set to begin the process of determining how to divide $1.5 million among dozens of nonprofit groups asking for more than double that amount. Associated Press.

More military might, politics and dirty tricks, Filipinos love Abercrombie, more island news

Delegations representing indigenous people from around the world were taken from Hawaii's voyaging canoes yesterday morning and paddled to the shores of Kualoa in a welcoming ceremony unlike any other seen at previous Healing Our Spirit Worldwide conferences. Star-Advertiser.

A celebration ceremony Sunday shared cultures from around the world. KHON2.

The Pentagon is planning a $278 million program to increase missile testing on Kauai that would improve the protection of Europe from ballistic missiles from countries such as Iran, and provide an additional element of defense for Hawaii from North Korean threats, officials said. Star-Advertiser.

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies has broken ground on a new wing. Associated Press.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to spend $1.4 million cleaning up lead paint on former Midway Atoll military buildings that have been poisoning Laysan albatross birds there. Associated Press.

Honolulu-based Hawaii Oceanic Technology Inc. has withdrawn its permit application for a 12-cage submerged ahi farm offshore of Malae Point, North Kohala, and plans to seek permission for just one cage instead. West Hawaii Today.

Kaua‘i’s beaches and surfbreaks are usually clean. Some are cleaner than others. Garden Island.

Despite the rhetorical fireworks between gubernatorial candidates Neil Abercrombie and Mufi Hannemann, the longtime Hawai‘i Democrats appear to be more ideologically alike than they let on to be. Associated Press.

According to the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle’s (HFC) recent Primary Election poll, former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie holds a commanding lead over former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in the race for governor among registered Filipino voters, 45.2 percent to 13.7 percent. Filipino Chronicle.

The Hawaii Venture Capital Association said it is outraged that another organization using a very similar name on Thursday endorsed Mufi Hannemann for governor when the HVA two months ago endorsed Neil Abercrombie. KITV.

When a political endorsement doesn’t go your way, why not just start a new group with almost the same name and have it endorse you so people think that the group you wanted to be endorsed by actually endorsed you in the first place. Hawaii Reporter.

The two major Democratic candidates for governor are set to participate in a debate sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and the Hawaii Medical Assurance Association. Associated Press.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Neil Abercrombie is accusing the campaign of his rival, Mufi Hannemann, of using religion to divide voters and attack his character. Associated Press.

Civil Beat sent the three leading candidates for Honolulu mayor the same questionnaire. Civil Beat.

The two leading candidates for Honolulu mayor are running television ads that look and sound pretty similar. KITV.

It was not a typical Maui County mayoral forum Friday night at the Iao Theater. Maui News.

The Garden Island asked the Kaua‘i candidates running for mayor, Kaua‘i County Council, state Senate and state House of Representatives to respond to three general questions about their decision to seek elected office. Garden Island.

More than half of the traffic deaths on the Big Island have been blamed on drunken driving over most of the last decade, according to a study released by the North Hawaii Outcomes Project. KITV.

Impaired driving has killed more Big Island motorists than any other cause, according to a recent report aimed at drawing attention to DUI deaths. Tribune-Herald.

Honolulu Police are stepping up enforcement to keep drunk drivers off the road. KHON2.

The owner's representative of the 670-acre Honua'ula development in South Maui asked members of the public and Maui County Council on Thursday to take a close look at the project's voluminous cultural resources preservation plan - a condition for its construction - before making any more judgments. Maui News.

West Maui lawmakers announced that the long-awaited Lahaina Harbor Improvement Project has been successfully awarded and finalized. Lahaina News.

Take a walk down Manako Lane in Kaunakakai on any given weekday and you will notice an unassuming green house nestled in the corner, buzzing with traffic. Several days a week, mental health patients gather at this spot – known as the clubhouse – which they describe as a place of solace and understanding. Molokai Dispatch.

Maui seeks to regulate aquarium trade, kingmaker Inouye stays out of gubernatorial primary, Ku statues return to Hawaii, Big Island in budget turmoil, more

Maui County's coral reefs and colorful fish are under assault by permitted collectors - and outside poachers - who capture the fish to sell to aquarium owners across the globe, according to two Maui County Council members who presented bills on Wednesday to regulate the industry here.

From different corners of the world, the last three Hawaiian god or "Ku" statues known to exist have been brought together at Bishop Museum—two of them after an absence of more than 160 years.

History was made yesterday as the Bishop Museum debuted three ancient kū brought to the Islands from England and Massachusetts .

The White House on Thursday announced the dates for next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Honolulu.

Senator Dan Inouye has no plans to throw his endorsement behind any candidate in the primary race for Governor.

A bill sitting on Gov. Linda Lingle's desk that seeks to strengthen prostitution laws by recognizing some prostitutes as human trafficking victims has drawn strong criticism from prosecutors and law enforcement, raising questions about whether the measure, if passed, would ever be put into use.

Hawai'i has the lowest gun death rate in the country, according to figures released this week by the Washington-based Violence Policy Center.

The price of summer school is going up. The Board of Education has agreed to raise next year's tuition by $30, to $190.

Six East Honolulu residents survived the first cut in the Honolulu City Council's selection of a ninth member.

Charlie Wedemeyer, one of Hawai'i's finest athletes, who defied the medical world with his 34-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, died yesterday morning in California.

Parents, principals and faculty of Haleiwa showed a united front as they spoke out against a proposal to shut down their school.

Mayor Billy Kenoi on Wednesday lashed out at "minority members" of the County Council for their eleventh hour budget amendments and said he'd "certainly veto" a budget containing them.

Should the County Council make deep cuts in the county budget that threaten core government functions, Mayor Billy Kenoi is ready to veto it.

Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law Tuesday a bill making it easier for police to enforce traffic laws on private subdivision roads that serve the public.

As Puna Geothermal Venture struggles to meet its contract with Hawaii Electric Light Co., a group met for the first time Wednesday to begin evaluating the potential for geothermal energy to serve as the primary source of electricity on the Big Island.

Geothermal is safe, clean and a gift of nature to residents of the Big Island, members of the 11-member Geothermal Working Group said.

Kaua‘i County Council members constantly deal with ordinances to improve the island’s ability to sustain itself regarding oil dependence.

In 1810, Kamehameha the Great unified the eight major islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Flags, lei, drum beat and floating lanterns mark Memorial Day events, gubernatorial race, filling Honolulu Hale priorities as Case bows out, horses seized by Kauai Humane Society, more state news

Drum beats echoed from the sacred dancing circle and onto the banks of Waiakea Pond on Saturday.

Total bankruptcy filings jumped 34.4 percent in May over the year-earlier period.

Hundreds turned out for the Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe Monday afternoon.

With a peach-colored sunset as a backdrop and aided by gentle trade winds, more than 2,000 candle-lit lanterns representing the souls of the departed made their way from the Magic Island end of Ala Moana Beach Park into the Pacific.

More than 40,000 people watched some 2,000 floating lanterns drift to sea last night from Ala Moana Beach, ferrying wishes of healing and peace and honoring those who have died under hardships.

Five battle-tested political veterans are already at the starting gate for the special election to replace Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who announced last week that he will resign July 20 to run for governor.

The Honolulu City Council is expected to pick the next member for Hawaii Kai as early as Thursday if five of the eight members can agree on the right person.

With Democrat Ed Case out of the September primary election, the challenge for Hawaii Democrats is to get Case's supporters to back Colleen Hanabusa.

With the departure of Ed Case  from the Democratic primary for Congress, all eyes turn to the gubernatorial contest between Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and former Congressman Neil Abercrombie.

The state Campaign Spending Commission has launched an investigation into Nuuanu City Councilman Rod Tam’s campaign expenses.

Sixteen emaciated and dehydrated horses have been rescued from a Lihue property.

The Kaua‘i Humane Society seized 16 horses in emaciated and dehydrated condition from a property in off Ma‘alo Road here Sunday after investigating calls from concerned people about “skinny” horses, said Dr. Rebecca Rhoades, KHS executive director.

A 47-year-old Mountain View man faces charges in the stabbing death of his wife following an attack Saturday night in Hilo.

Calling Kihei Public Charter High School a laboratory of innovation, Gov. Linda Lingle said graduates only needed to heed the words of their own student speakers to guide them in their future.



Jonah Ke‘eaumoku Kapu is a man of passion, willing to stand by his convictions and walk the talk to make a difference.

Oak Park Chimney Corporation is currently installing 17 carbon steel tension bands around the Pioneer Mill Smokestack to stabilize it.

Farewell to furloughs, globe-trotting governor, no one wants to be No. 2, more Hawaii news

Gov. Linda Lingle, in a significant concession, said yesterday that the state should tap its "rainy day" fund and teachers should agree to give up planning and collaboration days to end teacher furloughs.

Gov. Linda Lingle plans to eliminate 27 Furlough Fridays at Hawaii's public schools by tapping the so-called rainy day fund and switching teacher training days to class time

Gov. Linda Lingle on Sunday announced a plan to restore 27 school furlough days over the next year and a half.

Three legislative committees will jointly examine budget cuts to the state's Healthy Start program on Monday.

Only one Republican is running for lieutenant governor in Hawaii next year while a handful of Democrats are actively campaigning for their party's nomination.

Gov. Linda Lingle leaves Monday for three-day conference of the Republican Governors Association in Austin, Texas. The Governor is taking personal time and no state funds are being used for the trip

Having retrieved 22 iwi po'o, or Hawaiian skulls, from Stockholm's antiquities museum over the weekend, a Native Hawaiian delegation arrived in Boston yesterday to take possession of eight more from Harvard University's anatomical collection, William Aila, the group's spokesman said last night.

Despite the down economy, the North Kona Coast's luxurious Hualalai Resort sold a record $43.5 million in real estate in August and is on track to close $130 million in transactions by year's end.

Heavy rains brought serious property damage to Oahu this weekend.

Heavy rains and flooding over the past few days has caused water service interruptions for county Department of Water customers in Hanalei town and parts of Wailua Houselots.

Hawai'i and China may reach agreement by the end of the year to feature Island products at a showroom in Shanghai, Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday, which could help small and medium-sized businesses gain a foothold in the world's largest market.

Kona Coffee & Tea Co., owned by the Bolton family, became the winner of the 2009 Gevalia Crown Competition at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort,

Beach access, limited facilities and harassment of visitors were among the many concerns Big Islanders feel the state needs to address in its new master plan for the Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

Ordinarily, once a developer gets a special management area permit, the rest of the path to construction is routine. But SVO Pacific Inc., the developer of the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort and Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort North at North Beach, has had its SMA permit since March 2008 for a nearly identical third resort next to the other two, but it has not been able to get building permits.

$44 million blunder, bankruptices at 4-year record, police laser gun use in jeopardy, bugs count

The interior of Hulihee Palace glowed on Tuesday as members of the Daughters of Hawaii and Calabash Cousins ushered visitors through its renovated rooms.

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — Extending a lifeline from across the Pacific, federal and state disaster relief workers and volunteers arrived here last night on a Hawaiian Airlines flight with 40,000 pounds of water, food and clothing to help people cope with a deadly earthquake and tsunami.

Maui was spared a tsunami hit Tuesday, but parts of the island saw unusual tidal activity as a result of a massive earthquake earlier in Samoa.

Already facing a deficit approaching $1 billion for the current two-year budget cycle, the state now finds itself $44 million deeper in the hole after the recent discovery of a clerical error in accounting records.

A miscommunication between two state agencies is tacking an additional $44 million to the estimate of the state's already daunting $1 billion budget shortfall, the Lingle administration said yesterday.

The Hawai'i Supreme Court has thrown out a man's conviction for excessive speeding, a ruling that could put in jeopardy dozens of cases in which drivers have been pulled over by police officers armed with a laser gun.

Event makes native insects count

Hawaii bankruptcy filings in September soared to their highest monthly level in nearly four years.